Lost rebounds magnified in New York Liberty’s overtime loss to San Antonio Silver Stars

NEWARK, NJ – What about the turnovers? In due time.

Looking back at the numbers in San Antonio’s 78-77 overtime victory over the New York Liberty we begin In order looking at efficiency and possessions:

Efficiency and possessions

Possessions:

San Antonio 88

NY Liberty 88

Offensive Efficiency:

San Antonio 89

NY Liberty 88

Entering the game the visiting Silver Starts showed an offensive efficiency of 90 and 102. The numbers show, San Antonio was right around the mark on offense but improved dramatically on defense to earn the victory.

The Four Factors:

eFG

FT Rate

OREB PCT

TO Rate

San Antonio

41

8

34

13

NY Liberty

47

9

32

24

Liberty coach Bil Laimbeer and his players lamented about the poor showing on the offensive boards. Actually, the numbers in offensive rebounding percentage were quite close. But in a one possession game that deficit was magnified. In overtime the Liberty could not come up with a rebound on several occasions so the board totals did stay fresh in everyone’s memory.

The turnovers show the Liberty lost nearly a quarter of their possessions to the dreaded ‘TO’. The Silver Stars cared for the ball with an above average showing,

The slow start in numbers

The big story was the Liberty’s slow start. Again turnovers were a contribution but here are the first quarter numbers of the respective clubs.

Points

Possessions

Off Eff.

TO Rate

San Antonio

25

22

114

5

NY Liberty

18

23

78

38

The efficiency numbers of note (using the NBA model):

Points

Efficiency

C. Pondexter, NY

19

16

D. Robinson, SA

18

24

D. Adams, SA

16

18

Pondexter grabbed a team high 11 boards but shot 8 of 21 and committed a game high 7 turnovers. Robinson had 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Adams was a matchup problem. Able to hit from the perimeter and muscle her 239 pounds underneath. The former Texas A & M standout had 11 rebounds with 2 assists, 2 steals AND A BLOCKED SHOT.